Nottingham Forest vs Milton Keynes Dons - Ryan Mendes set to return for Nottingham Forest against MK Dons

Ryan Mendes is expected to return to the Nottingham Forest squad against MK Dons.

The winger missed the goalless draw at Blackburn on Monday night with a groin injury and could go straight back into the starting line-up as Reds boss Dougie Freedman continues to utilise his squad for a third match in nine days.

Forest's injury problems have started to ease in recent weeks, with Robert Tesche making his return and Chris Cohen (knee) playing for the under-21 side this week.

Strikers Matty Fryatt and Britt Assombalonga could return in the new year after lengthy absences but midfielder Andy Reid (groin) remains some way off a first-team comeback.

Milton Keynes manager Karl Robinson has promised "two or three big changes" to his team.

Robinson, who will be in charge of the Dons for the 300th time on Saturday, did not disclose what he had planned, although he does have plenty of options with the likes of Lee Hodson, Dean Bowditch, Sam Gallagher, Daniel Powell and Diego Poyet all pushing for starting places.

"I've got one or two things up my sleeve," said Robinson at his pre-match press conference. "I'm making two or three big changes and when I can tell you my team you'll have a smile on your face and you'll understand why because I want to get back to something. Hopefully we'll do that and perform on Saturday."

Ben Reeves has returned to the bench for the last two games after injury so he could be one of the changes.